An apartment development with up to 60 units is being proposed for an east side location overlooking the Milwaukee River.

The building, which would likely have five stories, would be built south of E. North Ave. and west of N. Cambridge Ave., said developer Kalan Haywood, president of Vangard Group LLC.

The site is now occupied by the former Judge's Irish Pub, which has been closed for four years, and a duplex. Both buildings would be demolished to make way for the new development, Haywood said Friday.

"It's a beautiful site right on the river," he said.

The development would include underground parking, with at least one space for each unit, Haywood said. It also would include some street-level commercial space.

Vangard could begin construction as soon as this fall, he said. That construction start, however, could be delayed until spring 2018.

The building would take about one year to complete.

Vangard is seeking a zoning change for the duplex, 2215 N. Cambridge Ave., to allow for the mixed-use project. That needs Common Council approval.

The former tavern at 1431 E. North Ave. is already zoned for a mixed-use development.

The market-rate apartments would be just across North Ave. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Cambridge Commons student apartments, 2323 N. Cambridge Ave.

The new project also would be just across the river from the 46-unit, four-story Belay apartments and the adjacent Adventure Rock indoor climbing wall gymnasium.

Vangard's other developments include City Place, which the firm is doing in a partnership with Cardinal Capital Management Inc.

City Place would have up to 90 units in three phases, including a 51-unit first phase featuring a four-story building and 12 townhouses. It is planned for a vacant site between W. Walnut, W. Vine, N. 5th and N. 6th streets.